Blood Orange Bars Recipe
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s perfectly tangy and sweet, you’ve got to try our Blood Orange Bars Recipe! These vibrant, citrusy treats start with a buttery shortbread crust and are topped with a rich, flavorful blood orange filling. Whether you’re hosting friends or just treating yourself, they’re super easy to make and always a hit. Made with fresh blood orange juice and zest, they’re bright, elegant, and seriously delicious.
Desserts don’t have to be fancy to be delicious. Sometimes, the best treats come together with just a few ingredients and a bit of creativity. Whether it’s a no-bake treat, a quick bake, or something in between, Easy Dessert Recipes are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without spending all day in the kitchen.
Think silky chocolate mousse, refreshing fruit parfaits, or warm cookies fresh from the oven. These simple desserts are a lifesaver for busy days or last-minute plans, proving that anyone can whip up something amazing with minimal effort.
Easy Dessert Recipes
From timeless classics to fun, creative twists, easy dessert recipes have something for everyone. With simple steps and ingredients you probably already have, whipping up delicious treats has never been easier—no matter your baking skills!
- Apple Pecan Upside Down Pie
- Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe
- Sweet Potato Chocolate Pie Recipe
- Chocolate Cake Mix Cookie Recipe
Blood Orange Bars Recipe
Looking for a dessert that’s both tangy and sweet? Try this Blood Orange Bars Recipe made with powdered sugar, unsalted butter, and a rich filling of blood orange juice and zest.
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 ½ Cups Flour
- ½ Cup Powdered Sugar
- ¾ Cup Unsalted Butter, softened
Filling Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Blood Orange Zest, from 1 orange
- ½ Cup Blood Orange Juice, from 2 oranges
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Large Eggs
- ¼ Cup Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Prep 8 X 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the flour, powdered sugar, and butter together until a soft dough forms.
- Press this dough evenly in the bottom of the baking pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Add the zest, juice, sugar, flour, salt, and eggs into a blender/food processor. Pulse until light and frothy.
- Remove the crust from the oven.
- Pour the filling on the top of the hot crust.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and set aside and cool completely to room temperature. - Just prior to serving sprinkle powdered sugar on top.
Ingredients Needed for this Dessert
Here’s what you need to make this bar recipe!
- Powdered Sugar – It dissolves so easily, creating a smooth, creamy filling that perfectly balances the tartness of the blood orange. It’s also great in the crust, adding just the right touch of sweetness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Unsalted Butter – Without the extra salt, the sweet crust and tangy blood orange filling really get to shine. It also lets you control the overall saltiness, keeping the crust rich, tender, and just the right amount of sweet.
- Blood Orange Zest – Its natural oils give off a bold citrusy aroma and a bright, zesty flavor that balances perfectly with the sweetness of the filling and crust. It also brings out the tanginess of the blood orange juice, giving the whole dessert a more complex and layered taste.
- Blood Orange Juice – It brings a bright, tangy flavor with just the right touch of sweetness you won’t find anywhere else. It makes these bars look as amazing as they taste!
- Sugar – It adds just the right amount of sweetness to the filling, letting those bright citrus flavors shine without being too much. It helps the filling set properly, giving the bars that smooth, creamy texture we all love.
- Flour – Flour is what holds these bars together, literally. It gives the crust its structure and stability, creating a buttery, tender base that pairs perfectly with the vibrant blood orange filling.
- Salt – Even though it’s just a pinch, salt is a game-changer in the Blood Orange Bars recipe. It balances out the sweetness, makes the bright, tangy blood orange flavors pop, and brings out the buttery goodness of the crust.
- Large Eggs – They hold the filling together, giving it that smooth, custard-like texture we all love. Plus, they add richness and depth to the flavor.
Shop My Kitchen
All of these ingredients come together to make a tangy citrus treat that is perfect for any celebration or gathering. These are a real crowd pleaser.
While you’re here, make sure you check out our other fruit based treats like our apple spice cake recipe, pumpkin cheesecake bars, our candy corn cookie bars and these brown butter pecan bars.
Dessert Essentials at Amazon
Looking to level up your baking game? Check out Dessert Essentials on Amazon! They’ve got everything from pans and measuring cups to top-notch ingredients. Whatever you need to whip up the perfect dessert is just a click away.
4-Tier Cupcake Stand Cupcake Tower Holder for 36 Cupcakes，Plastic Cupcake Stand Cupcake Tree 4 Tiered Dessert Table Treat Stands for Party，Round Reusable Cookie Stand Tree Cupcake Risers,Hosting Party Essentials
WOWBOX 4 pcs Serving Tray for Entertaining, Serving Platters for Snacks, Fruit, Cookies, Dessert, Reusable Plastic Trays for Serving Food and Pantry Organization in Kitchen & for PartiesPiping Bags and Tips Set, Cakes Decorating Kit Supplies with 3 Reusable Pastry Bags, 18 Frosting Tips, 3 Couplers, 3 Bag Ties, 3 Cake Scraper, 1 Cake Decorating Tools for Cookie IcingLegredic 50 Pack 5 oz Square Dessert Cups with Spoons, Clear Plastic Parfait Cups for Party, Mini Serving Shooter Appetizer Cups, Dessert Shot Glasses for Tasting Samples Fruit Ice CreamParty Essentials Deluxe Quality Hard Plastic 6-Inch Round Party/Dessert Plates, Clear, 24 Count200 Pcs Cocktail Picks, 4.7 Inch Toothpicks for Appetizers, Bamboo Cocktail Sticks Skewers for Drinks, Desserts, Charcuterie, Wedding Party Fancy Toothpicks, Gold Pearl Mini Food Picks Decorative
Can I Use Regular Oranges instead of Blood Oranges?
Blood oranges are truly special, thanks to their stunning deep red color and their distinctive berry-like flavor that sets them apart from other citrus fruits. They bring a unique twist to any dish or dessert they’re used in. However, if you don’t have blood oranges on hand, regular oranges are a fantastic alternative. You’ll still get that bright, citrusy freshness, though regular oranges tend to be a little sweeter and less tangy than their crimson counterparts.
While you might miss out on the vibrant red hue that blood oranges provide, your dessert will still look beautiful and taste absolutely delicious. If you’re craving that extra tartness blood oranges are known for, consider adding a splash of lemon juice to the orange juice. It’s a simple tweak that can help balance the sweetness and add a slightly tangy kick, perfect for enhancing the overall flavor of your dish.
Do I Need to Use Unsalted Butter or Can I Use Salted Butter Instead?
Unsalted butter is usually recommended in recipes so you can control exactly how much salt goes into your dish. But if all you’ve got is salted butter, no problem—you can totally use it instead! Just remember it already has salt in it, so you might want to cut back or skip the extra salt in the recipe.
The difference in flavor is usually pretty small, but for things like baked goods or desserts with delicate flavors, unsalted butter is your best bet to nail the taste. At the end of the day, both types of butter work—just go with what you have and what you like!
How Do I Store Blood Orange Bars and How Long Do They Stay Fresh?
If you want to store your Blood Orange Bars, make sure they’re completely cooled first. Pop them into an airtight container, and you’re good to keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days. Want them to last longer? Stick them in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh for about a week.
For super-long storage, wrap them up tightly in plastic wrap, put them in a freezer-safe container, and freeze them—yep, they’ll last up to 3 months that way! When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them in the fridge or at room temp and dig in!
Baking Essentials at Amazon
Looking to level up your baking game? Check out Amazon’s Baking Essentials! From top-notch pans and measuring tools to those hard-to-find ingredients, they’ve got everything you need to bake like a pro.
Umite Chef Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids Set, 8PCS Stainless Steel Khaki Nesting Bowls with Grater Attachments, Kitchen Bowls with Non-Slip Bottoms, Size 5, 4, 3.5, 2, 1.5QT for Mixing & ServingKitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt Set, 7Amazon Basics 6 Piece Nonstick, Carbon Steel Oven Safe Bakeware Set, 16.25 x 11.75 x 6.25 inchesCheckered Chef Cooling Rack for Cooking and Baking – 8” x 11 ¾HOTEC Food Grade Silicone Rubber Spatula Set for Baking, Cooking, and Mixing High Heat Resistant Non Stick Dishwasher Safe BPA-Free Multicolor Set of 5Pyrex 3 Piece Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1, 2, and 4 Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools
Delicious Dessert Bars
These dessert bars are the perfect mix of sweet, chewy, and delicious—basically impossible to resist! Whether you’re into tangy citrus or rich, chocolatey goodness, there’s a bar here to crush any craving.